Sunderland Gas Explosion: Resident ‘in critical’ condition as property is demolished for safety

Demolition has started of a Sunderland property in a bid to make the area safe following a huge gas explosion on Tuesday afternoon.

Emergency services were called to Whickham Street in Roker just before 4pm yesterday following a “significant” explosion.

And they stayed present on scene late into the evening, evacuating neighbours and controlling the site – to make it as safe as possible for those in the local vicinity.

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Northumbria Police, the North East Ambulance Service, the Great North Air Ambulance and Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service attended once the alarm was raised.

Later a K-9 dog unit from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service arrived to ensure no more casualties were trapped inside.

One injured party was taken to Sunderland Royal Hospital, while another was transported to Newcastle’s RVI for immediate care.

Both were being treated for ‘blast’ injuries and Northumbria Police initially said yesterday that their lives were not thought to be in danger.

However, a force spokesman announced this morning that the condition of one of the casualties had deteriorated.

A spokesperson from Northumbria Police, said: “At 3.45pm yesterday (Tuesday) we received a report of a suspected gas explosion at an address on Whickham Street, Sunderland.

“Two men were taken to hospital. One man’s condition has since deteriorated and he is currently in a critical but stable condition.”

Housing association Gentoo, which oversees the property involved also released a statement this morning..

Gentoo Chief Executive Nigel Wilson, said: “Two men were taken to hospital. One man’s condition has since deteriorated and he is currently in a critical but stable condition.”

“Colleagues were on site almost immediately with the emergency services supporting the residents here impacted by it and working to provide them with some alternative housing for yesterday and then looking at working them throughout the day.

“We were on site with the emergency services until very late last night helping them carry out the checks they need to.

“We’re back out on site today working with the health and safety executive and the gas people who are obviously carrying out their investigation.

“We have a structural engineer due out on site shortly to look at the safety of the building and what then can be done in terms of securing that and then hopefully in due course giving access back to the residents so they can collect their things.

“In the meantime, housing colleagues are continuing to work with residents to get them all the support they need.”

The Sunderland-based association also confirmed that eight households were affected by the blast – with the two known residents taken to hospital, two others were taken to a nearby hotel, while four others stayed with family members overnight.

Retired couple Terry and Geraldine Connolly, who live on Church Street North, close to the Whickham Street property affected by the gas explosion, have spoken of their shock following the incident.

Terry, 71, said: “I heard a bang and thought it was a wagon crashing and hitting the house at first because they come around the corner so fast.

“I went round to see if I could help and if anyone was trapped, but by the time I got around a lot of people were there.

“When I looked at the state of the front of the house I thought I’d best not go inside because I didn’t know if anything else was going to fall.”

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) also confirmed that the incident was being investigated earlier this afternoon, with a spokesperson saying: “Earlier today, Wednesday 16 February, this incident was passed to HSE to investigate.

“Enquiries are ongoing.”

Northern Gas Network’s engineers remained on site as per the request of the emergency services, in a bid to assist with ongoing investigation.

Fergal O’Donovan, Business Operations Lead for Northern Gas Networks said: “Our engineers arrived on site yesterday afternoon at the request of the emergency services, to assist with their investigations.

“We remain on site today to support the investigation as it continues.”

Demolition teams then began gearing up earlier this afternoon, with a digger delivered to the site, amidst concerns that debris and unstable structures could pose a substantial risk of further damage in the area – especially with storms incoming to the North East later this week.

And the mission to make the area as safe as possible began shortly after 4pm, with the digger clearing hazardous rubble and weakened structures of the property.

Demolition work on the affected property came to a close at around 5pm this evening – with the roof being completely removed and a large portion of debris being removed from the building itself.

Emergency services also began leaving the scene while Gentoo and gas engineers remained.

Metal fencing and bollards were also set-up to prevent public access down the street, with services carefully watching over the scene of the incident.

Whickham Street remains closed in both directions due to the gas leak and unsafe structural damages between A1290 Church Street North and Zetland Street.

A fundraising page has been set up to help raise money for the residents affected by the “devastating” explosion which has raised over £100 so far.

In a bid to help those “left with nothing”, Silksworth resident, Dawn Geddes, 37, set up a Go Fund Me page to try and raise as much money as possible.

To read more on the fundraiser itself and donate should you wish to, you can do so, here.

You can follow our live blog on this ongoing incident here.

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